WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1977
10
1
LANDLORDS OF CLOSED BUILDINGS SHOULD ASSIST TENANTS
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS CFFERED VARIOUS KINDS OF ASSISTANCE TO TENANTS AND WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE CLOSURE OF THE CHINA ENGINEERS BUILDING IN KWUN TONG, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON. HENRY HU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR: JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD QUITE PROPERLY CONFINED ITS ASSISTANCE TO ADVISING ON THE AVAILABILITY OF OTHER INDUSTRIAL PREMISES IN THE EAST KOWLOON AREA, OFFERING MEDIATION BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AND PROVIDING ADVICE REGARDING ALTERNATIVE JOBS TO THOSE WORKERS WISHING TO SEEK THEM.
HOWEVER, THE SECRETARY SAID THAT WHEN A DANGEROUS INDUSTRIAL BUILDING HAD TO BE CLOSED, THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSISTING TENANTS MUST LIE WITH THE LANDLORD.
+THIS IS BECAUSE THE BUILDING IS OWNED BY HIM AND HE HAS CONTRACTED TO ACCOMMODATE THE TENANTS IN IT IN RETURN FOR THEIR PAYMENT OF RENT.
CS+
IN THIS SORT OF CASE, THE GOVERNMENT'S CHIEF CONCERN MUST BE TO SEE THAT THE LANDLORD FULFILS HIS RESPONSIBILITIES TO HIS TENANTS,+ HE SAID,
IT WAS NOT RIGHT, MR. JONES SAID, THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RELIEVE HIM OF THESE RESPONSIBILITIES, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE TAXPAYERS, AND, BY SO-DOING, TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO EVADE SIMILAR RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE FUTURE.
HE ADDED THAT IN THE CASE OF THE CLOSURE OF THE CHINA ENGINEERS BUILDING, THE LANDLORD HAD OFFERED ALL THE DISPLACED TENANTS ASSISTANCE IN REMOVING THEIR FACTORY EQUIPMENT AND IN PROVIDING TEMPORARY STORAGE FOR SUCH EQUIPMENT.
+HE HAS ALSO ASSISTED THE TENANTS TO FIND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION TO ENABLE THEM TO RESTART THEIR OPERATIONS, + FR. JONES SAID.
/11